Würth Industry North America Announces Management Changes

Würth Industry of North America announced a recent CEO retirement and transition at its Würth Adams branch in Brooklyn Park, MN, and announced WINA's new managing director and director of quality management.

Jan 25th, 2017

BROOKLYN PARK, MN — On Dec. 31, 2016, Gary Huck retired from his position of CEO/managing director of Würth Adams and Rick Frank, former director of sales, has taken over the role of managing director for the Brooklyn Park, MN facility.

Huck worked for Würth Adams for more than 15 years and held the position of managing director for 14 years. During Huck’s time, there have been tremendous accomplishments and growth. In his time as managing director sales grew from $24 million to the current revenue of $109 million. He transitioned Würth Adams’ main facility from 65,000 square feet to the current headquarters in Brooklyn Park of 146,000 square feet. The 108,000-square-foot warehouse is being retrofitted with an automated picking system that mimics the Würth systems in Europe.

Rick Frank, former director of sales, transitioned into his new role as managing director on Jan. 1. Frank got his start in the fastener industry in1986 and has been with Würth Adams for the last 12 years. During his time at Würth Adams, Frank held many different positions that have taught him the entire scope of the industry and business and prepared him for his new role.

"I am looking forward to continuing the long lasting success that Würth Adams has had over the years. New advancements in technology and automation will take us into markets that we have yet to explore, and I am excited about the future of the employees of this company," Frank said.

The Würth Industry of North America (WINA) companies also welcome managing director Tino Schablow and director of quality management, Rob Girdley to their new positions. Schablow and Girdley have both worked for the Würth Group for several years.

Schablow has played an integral part in the set-up of WINA’s newest foundation company, Würth Industry Canada in Ontario. The company was founded as part of WINA’s overall logistical expansion plan and to provide an engine of growth in such an important geographic area. The new managing director is looking forward to supporting a young, energetic team in order to take the new start-up to great successes.

As director of quality management, Rob Girdley is responsible for managing all activity to drive quality assurance from WINA’s supply base and provide oversight in standardization of overall quality programs. Girdley and his team will support the organization's growth strategies to ensure quality product is delivered to customers and work to collaboratively maintain the operating companies' goals and objectives. Girdley was director of quality at Würth Service Supply in Indianapolis and has been a key member of the Würth Group Quality Council, the only U.S. representative on the council. His leadership will be instrumental in following and driving group policies and ensuring that requirements for WINA are considered and supported on a global basis.

Marc Strandquist, executive vice president responsible for Würth Industry of North America states, "We are grateful for the years of service that Gary brought to WINA. His leadership brought innovation and change, and has positioned the company for success for a long time to come." Strandquist also comments that, "We are pleased to have the depth of talent within the Würth Group to continue to promote from within and fill positions like these in order to further strengthen our leadership team. WINA has been able to double in size in three years with the 2,000 dedicated employees we have in place — $330 million at the end of 2013 to $700 million this year!"

Würth Industry of North America is a part of the Würth Group — No. 2 on Industrial Distribution's Big 50 List.